Article 1. General of California Government Code >> Division 3. >> Title 2. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 1.

(a) To assist him or her in the discharge of the duties of his or her office, the Secretary of State may appoint one Assistant Secretary of State, whose powers, duties and liabilities shall be those of a deputy, and any deputies and clerical, expert, technical and other assistants necessary for the proper conduct of his or her office. The Assistant Secretary of State and all deputies are civil executive officers.
  (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, but consistent with Section 4 of Article VII of the California Constitution and with subdivision (a) of this section, the Governor shall appoint four employees of the Secretary of State's office, who may be nominated by the Secretary of State, and who are exempt from state civil service.

The Secretary of State shall appoint a competent person to the position of Chief of Archives. In case of his or her absence or inability to perform the duties of his or her position, the Secretary of State shall designate some other competent person to act in his or her place.